DIY – Could Do Better?
by Lorena Benchis on Jan 20, 2012
I know that this article is going to sound like your Mum or Dad telling you off for not getting a good school report, but I’ll risk it. Even experienced DIY-ers know that in some areas they “could do better”. Avoid an F for Fail, by taking note of these tips from the professionals.
Give yourself plenty of time, in the planning and carrying out of the task you’ve set yourself. Don’t expect to get three-cabin beds up in a couple of hours. Get everything ready beforehand and work out in which order you have to do each part of the job. Use a tape measure and a spirit level, not your best estimate.
Pace yourself. Don’t get too ambitious and decide to do a really complex project if you’re a beginner. It's recommended to not attempt this if you’ve not yet put up a shelf. Sure, it may seem more glamorous, but the chances are you’ll be feeling differently after a couple of weekends spent getting nowhere fast and sleeping on the sofa. Online videos on how-to websites can be really good sources of information, and may well be easier to learn from than trying to work out instructions from a DIY manual.
The same goes for tools: get the best you can afford for the job. In particular, you need a cordless drill and screwdriver. This makes every task quicker and easier; there’s nothing more demoralizing than screwing everything in by hand. Don’t go for the cheapest paint, varnish, or brushes. Budget-priced brushes have fewer bristles, which make an untidy finish, and they molt more than a mid-range brush, so you will be constantly picking bristles out of the paintwork. Buy decent screws. Cheap screws make every job more difficult. Start with these basic tips and you’ll soon have a finished DIY project to be proud of.
Popular Articles
Three Places to Spend Money on the Exterior of Your Home
When you have the exterior of your home remodeled, you are investing, time, energy and convenience into the project and you want to make sure that...
93639 Views
Homemade Headboards-Make an Upholstered or Wooden Headboard
Homemade headboards can add a lot of personality to any bedroom. They can be coordinated with existing furniture and room decor or they can be the...
73757 Views
When to Use a Brush, Roller or Sponge Brush
Brushes are a good choice for painting trim and woodwork. They are also useful for cutting in the edges around the top and bottom edges and corners...
71526 Views
Creating a Cottage Kitchen with Bead Board
Kitchen decor can range from modern and bold to elegant and elaborate by using strategic kitchen pieces. One of the most popular decorating trends...
52250 Views
Gas Fireplace Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Follow these steps for diagnosing and troubleshooting Gas Fireplaces repairs. For the average DIYer, this may seem intimidating, depending on the...
30381 Views
Latest Articles
Troubleshooting Excess Water in Your HVAC Secondary Condensate Drain Pan
When maintaining your air conditioning system, it is easy to overlook the condensate drain pan - until excess water starts pooling in places where...
on Jan 12, 2025
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs): A Beginners Guide
By combining the advantages of stock market and real estate investing, Real Estate Investment Trusts, or REITs, offer an alluring investment...
on Dec 19, 2024
Global Real Estate Trends: What’s Driving Property Investments This Year?
For investors hoping to optimize returns in the ever-changing world of real estate, knowing current trends is not merely a matter of staying...
on Dec 19, 2024
5 Reasons to Use Gutter Cleaning Services
Gutters protect your home from water damage by directing rainwater away from your roof, walls, and foundation. However, they often required regular...
on Nov 14, 2024
Before You Sign: How Home Inspections Identify Hidden Hazards in Your Future Home
Buying a home is exciting, but hidden dangers can turn that dream into a nightmare if not addressed early on. Beyond what is visible during a...
on Oct 18, 2024
Featured Articles
What Type of Licensed Contractor Should You Hire?
on Feb 28, 2017
Hire Contractors / Estimates

Looking for a specialty project? There are many types of contractors available for your home improvement needs. Finding the right type of...
Actions
Top Categories
- Garden / Landscaping / Patio — 263
- Kitchen / Bathrooms — 240
- Real Estate / Finance — 202
- Appliance / Repair — 186
- Interior Design / Decor — 184
- HVAC / Air Conditioning — 148
- Cleaning / Maintenance — 144
- Improvements / Remodeling — 131
- Plumbing / Basements — 118
- Floors / Tile / Hardwood — 116
- Doors / Garages — 113
- Safety / Security — 113
Articles Archive
More DIY Articles
What You Need To Know Before You Replace Your Roof
Nobody wants to replace their roof if it can be avoided. A roof replacement is quite an investment, after all. Unfortunately, sometimes a roof just...
4 Ways to Keep Your Carpet in Tip-Top Shape
Let us face it: your carpet is more important than you think. After all, you step on your carpets every day. That is why you should make the effort...
How to Choose the Right Plunge Cut Saw
Plunge cut saws are a must-have for any serious carpenter. When a project calls for cutting a straight line, pairing a quality plunge cut saw with...
Protecting Your Home By Extending Your Security System
Although most established neighborhoods have been equipped with basic home burglar alarm type of security for a few decades, it has only been in...
When Looking for Garage Storage Space, Think UP!
Garage storage space is usually at a premium. Aside from the basement, the garage is where all those things that you don’t need right away but will...